We at
americanpublichousereview.com
like to give you the story along with our
presentation of a worthy establishment. Indeed pubs, bars, taverns and
breweries are made of stories as much as they are constructed of wood,
brick, stone and spirits. In some cases it's the history which is
paramount, in others it's a personality, a palpable mystery, or even a
sincere
conviction as to a ghostly haunting. The story which comes included with
your trip to Firestone Walker Brewing Company and your draughts of its fine
pale ale is the brewpub's whereabouts on this the sun's most exquisite
birdie.

Nothing can prepare you for the stunning beauty of San Luis Obispo
County in California. The seascapes are canvas worthy, the climate is
friendly and the gentle rolling hills are sublime. I wholeheartedly
recommend a visit if you’ve never been. Bring an extra memory card or
two for your camera though because just when you’ve exhausted one on a
truly magnificent vista, you round a bend to another even more amazing.

I
recently attended a family wedding which took place just outside of
Cambria, California, a quaint and lovely little coastal town. You’ll
pass
through it on a road trip up California Route 1 from the city of San
Luis Obispo to Carmel Bay. By the way, put that sojourn on your bucket
list too. You’ll ogle wildly carved cliffs, the blue-green drink of the Pacific,
sea lions, whales and even an American castle. We established camp
in Cambria where each day
was a metaphor of morning fog sunburning off into
colors you may have never even noticed before. There are certain places
the attendance of which elicit peace. This be one of those .
. . Oh yes, I could go on and on, but ya con't drrrink scenerrry, so on
we go to Firestone Walkerwhich is in the enchanting neighborhood and of the essence to this here communion.

I had indulged freely in
Firestone Beers before which are delicious to say the least and so was
thrilled when we negotiated a stop at their brewery and taproom.

Outside the brewery

Taproom entrance

Brothers
in law, Adam Firestone aka the bear and David Walker aka the lion founded the brewery in 1996.
They brewed their first beer in a small facility rented from the
Firestone Vineyard Estate in Santa Barbara County. In 2001 they moved to
the large brewing and serving compound in Paso Robles and have been
growing ever since. Firestone and Walker initially concentrated on pale
ales fermented in oak barrels. This British style still flavors their
whole operation, but they have expanded into a wide variety of finely
crafted beers. The FW brew crew under Brewmaster, Matt Brynildson have won Mid Size Brewery of the Year
four times in their young yet venerable existence.

The Bear, The Brewmaster and The Lion: Adam Firestone, Matt Brynildson and David Walker

The enterprise is a just right concoction of production and
hospitality. The Taproom which expresses itself in what I call, "Brewpub
Modern" with its exposed plumbing and HVAC, its bare copper and corrugated steel
is hard connected to the brewery so it serves beer as fresh as it comes in
the manner of the offerings at
a fine seafood restaurant which is right there on
the dock a clam shell toss from the fishing boats.

12 family members and one Roman Catholic priest settled into
the comfy chairs along an extended table at 3:00 in the afternoon which is the eye
of the food service storm so to speak. I prefer the bar, but we were
indeed a
hoard with kids attached. I can't remember what everyone ordered, but I
do recall the Maple Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich - a selection of
truffle melted cheeses with tomato on toasted brioche as being a
particular smash. I chose the BBQ Smoked Brisket on a potato bun which hit
the spot perfectly. And Father Tony declared his onion rings to be
among the best he'd ever had. As for the beers, I sipped a Pale 31
because I was driving, it being more spare in ABV than many. This
flagship pale ale was rich and chock full of flavor belying its lower
octane. The champ of the session however was the Union Jack IPA, a
beer I've sampled many times and indeed chanced a wee nip that afternoon
as well. All I can say is if you're a hop head, you will absolutely love this
beer. Everflowing from the taps and fresh from right next door, it's one
heavenly elixir.

Refreshed and repasted we perused the gift shop. I purchased two
souvenir t-shirts for colleagues back home and we hastened on to a winery
which was part of the bargain we made with those grape aficionados in our
group . . . But that would be potation for another story.